Best Buy sued for 'ripping off' consumers

Ohio takes up legal cudgels

Giant US electronics retailer Best Buy has been sued by the State of Ohio over alleged unfair and deceptive business practices.

Ohio's legal officers are acting on complaints that the electronics chain sold used products as new. The retail giant also allegedly failed to honour rebates, exchange programs or extended service contracts on numerous occasions. In a statement issued yesterday, Ohio said it initiated legal action after receiving hundreds of consumer complaints over the last few years.

"The sheer number of complaints coupled with the types of allegations my office received prompted us to file this lawsuit." said Ohio Attorney General Jim Petro. "The primary objective of this lawsuit is to bring Best Buy into conformity with Ohio’s consumer protection laws and ensure that Best Buy’s Ohio customers receive the service they deserve."

In the complaint, Petro asks the court to order Best Buy to comply with Ohio's consumer protection laws, reimburse customers who lost money and pay a civil penalty of $25,000 for each violation of Ohio's Consumer Sales Practices Act. Best Buy, which operates approximately 750 stores in the US and Canada, said it was aware of the suit but declined to discuss pending litigation. ®